LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, § 

Chap. B1U-11- - • 
SAe// ,- 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. % 



ADDRESS, 

OR 

ASTORAL LETTER. 



ADDRESS 

OR 

PASTORAL LETTER 



TO THE 



MINISTRY AND MEMBERSHIP 



OF THE 



GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH. 



* Cliainbersbiirg, 
Printed at the Office of the "Weekly Messe^t^^M^.^0 



1846. 



ADDRESS. 



Dearly beloved Brethren in the Lord, 

At the late meeting of the' 
Synod of the German Reformed Church, held in Car- 
lisle, Pa., the undersigned were appointed a Committee 
to prepare and circulate an Address or Pastoral Letter 
to the Churches, under the care of Synod, oa the rela- 
tions which our baptized, yet unconfirmed members 
sustain to the visible Church, and the duties which 
grow out of those relations. This subject came up 
before Synod through reference by the Classis of Mary- 
land, and elicited an earnest, protracted, and interesting 
discussion. It was considered a subject of very gieat 
importance by the whole Synod, and when the following 
minute, prepared by a special Committee, was offered 
for the consideration of that body, it was unanimous, 
ly adopted. 

The Committee to whom was referred the minute of 
the Classis of Maryland, touching the baptized, yet un- 
confirmed membership of our Church, beg leave to say, 
that they have had the subject referred to them under 
serious consideration, and have agreed to offer the fol- 
lowing minute, for the adoption of this body, it being 
substantially the same, in some of its features, as that 
adopted by the Classis. 

Whereas all baptized persons, whether infants or 
adults, are members of the visible Church of Christ, 
and should be recognized and treated as such ; and 
Whereas, it appears that many baptized adults in our 
connexion, as well as in others, have not correct scriptu- 
ral views of the relations they sustain to the Church, 
and Whereas it is of vast importance to them personal- 
ly, and to the interests of the Church generally, that 
they should properly understand these n lations, as well 
as ?he duties which grow out of them, therefore 

Resolved 1st, That we deeply deplore this state of 
things, and earnestly desire a speedy removal of the 
causes which have led to its existence, and which are 
chiefly to be found, doubtless, in the too common neglect 
of family religion, and the want of proper parental 
instruction and influence, as well as in a want, in many 
instances, of ministerial attention and faithfulness. 



4 



2nd. That the great importance of Bible and Cate- 
chetical instruction, of covenant and Church relations, 
of family religion, of confirmation, of the sacraments ; 
and of all those means of grace and helps to salvation 
which are enjoyed in the visible Church, has been too 
much overlooked, of late years especially, and that it is 
necessary, in view of our well-being as a Church, and 
of the interests of religion in general, to return at once, 
in these regards, to the old land-marks which our fathers 
have set, and to endeavor to infuse, under God, a prop- 
er Christian life into all the forms and customs of the 
Church, for without such life we shall have the form of 
godliness, without its spirit and its power. 

3rd. Thatit.be earnestly recommended to all our 
ministers to give immediate attention to this subject, to 
bring it before our people from the pulpit, and to discuss, 
explain, and enforce it, in such a manner and to such an 
extent, as may be deemed best calculated to accomplish 
the object in view. 

4th. That in the discharge of the duty of family visi- 
tation, it be particularly enjoined upon all the ministers 
of this Synod, to bring this subject to the notice of pa- 
rents and children, and endeavor to suitably impress 
their minds with its interest and importance. 

5th. That it be made the duty, in an especial man- 
ner, of all our ministers, to look after that portion of 
the youthful membership of our Church, who in the 
providence of God are deprived of parental care, and 
have no one to sympathize with them in their state of 
spiritual destitution and to comfort them in their tempor- 
al distresses. 

6th. That we not only regard all baptized persons as 
members of the visible Church, subject to its teachings, 
admonitions and pastoral care, but that we consider it 
to be our duty to make immediate efforts to ascertain the 
names of all baptized, yet unconfirmed persons in our 
communion, and in all our intercourse with them to treat 
them as members of the visible Church, subject to its 
order and entiiled to its covenant blessings. 

7th. That it be enjoined upon the respective Classes 
to furnish Synod, in their annual reports, with the num- 
ber of all baptized, as well as all confirmed members 
under their care, and that the Stated Clerk be directed 
to open a column in the Statistical reports of this body, 



5 



for all baptized, yet unexcommunicated members of our 
Church. 

8*.h. That a Committee be appointed to prepare an 
address or pastoral letter to all our Churches on the 
topics noticed in this paper, and to have it published in 
the periodicals of the Church, and in any other form 
they may see fit, provided Synod is not thereby involved 
in any pecuniary expense. 

The reasons which induced Synod to prepare and 
adopt the above Minute, may more fully appear in the 
course of some remarks, to which we beg leave, res- 
pectfully and affectionately, to invite your serious and 
prayerful attention. It is not our design to enter upon 
the discussion of any polemical questions, farther than 
may be deemed necessary to a correct understanding 
and a proper appreciation of the important subject now 
to be considered. 

The report, adopted by the Synod, asserts, that all 
baptized persons, whether infants or adults, are members 
of the visible Church of Christ, and should be recog- 
nized and treated as such— that many baptized adults, 
in our communion, have not correct views of the rela- 
tions they sustain to the Church — that it is of vast im- 
portance to them personally, and to the interests of the 
Church generally, that they should properly understand 
these relations and the things which make for their 
peace in this regard — and that all such persons are sub- 
ject to the teachings, admonitions, and special oversight 
of the Church. To a brief consideration of these and 
kindred topics, we now'invite your attention. 

. It is presumed no one will question that it is necessa- 
ry, at least highly important to the temporal and spirit- 
ual well-being of families who are in covenant with God, 
that they should rightly understand the intimate and 
deeply interesting relations they sustain to the Church 
of Christ, and the duties which belong to such relations. 
The minute of Synod, in regard to Church member- 
ship, declares that all baptized persons are members of 
the visible Church. This, doubtless, is true ; but it is 
also true, we think, that all those ivho are included in 
God's gracious covenant ivith men, are members of his 
outward Church, though they may not have received 
the appointed token of such membership. 



6 



In order that this subject may be presented in its true 
and proper light, and that all interested may understand 
it fully, let us endeavor to ascertain in this place, What 
it is that constitutes Church Membership ; or, Who 
are members of the visible Church 1 This is a ques- 
tion of much importance and of very deep interest to 
us all. Let us look at it in the light of the Holy Scrip- 
tures, and try to understand it, as it is there presented 
to our minds. If the Spirit direct us in our inquiries, 
and for which direction we fervently pray, we shall be 
able to see the truth, and to walk in the right way. 

The Scriptures teach, that all professedly believing 
parents and their offsprings are members of God's 
visible Church. This is a broad proposition, but the 
true one, as a little examination and reflection will ena- 
ble us to see. Let it be remembered that at no time has 
God been without a Church and people in the world. 
From Adam onward, there has always been a seed to 
serve the Lord. But it was not until the days of Abra- 
ham that God entered into formal covenant with his 
people and their offspring. Some two thousand years 
before Christ, God called Abraham to his service, and 
admitted him to membership in his family. He entered 
into a most solemn covenant with Abraham and his seed, 
as we learn from the 17th Chapter of the book of Gene- 
sis. The covenant engagement, proper, is in these 
words. "I will establish my covenant between me and 
thee, in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to 
be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee." The 
covenant of God with Abraham and his offspring im- 
plied, that the former had blessings to bestow, and the 
latter duties to discharge. 

Now it will be observed, that God entered into formal 
covenant relations with both Abraham and his chil- 
dren. "I will establish my covenant between me and 
thee, in their generations — to be a God unto thee a nd 
to thy seed after thee." It will also be noted, that the 
covenant itself was to continue throughout all time. It 
was established, in the generations of God's people, 
"for an everlasting covenant." This was the nature, 
extent and duration of the Abrahamic covenant, the 
original sign and seal of which was circumcision, as 
we learn from the Chapter in Genesis already referred 
to. "Every man-child among you shall be circumci- 



7 



sed, and it shall be a token of the covenant between me 
and thee." You will observe that circumcision was no 
part of the Abrahamic covenant, but only the original 
sign and seal of that covenant; and we say the origi- 
nal sign or token, because it was in time to be super- 
seded by another. The covenant itself was to remain 
unaltered throughout all time, but the token and seal 
of the covenant were to be changed — as we shall pres. 
ently see — and suited to a new order of things under 
another and a better dispensation. Now, what was it 
that entitled the pious patriarch and his children to the 
right of membership in God's Church? Was it circum- 
cision^. Certainly not, Tor that was only the token of 
the covenant — it was a sign, a manifestation, a declara- 
tion of Church membership. Membership existed pre- 
viously, and was founded on the stipulations of the 
covenant. Circumcision was administered as a token 
or recognition of covenant relations and church mem- 
bership, and was founded on membership, and not 
membership on circumcision. Those who were in cove- 
nant, had a right to circumcision, as a sign and seal of 
the covenant, because they belonged to the visible Church 
of God. The uncovenanted had no right to circumci- 
sion, because they were without the pale of the visible 
Church. With such, circumcision would have heen a 
unmeaning useless ceremony, because there was nothing 
for which it could have been either a sign or a seal. Its 
subject must be in covenant, or in the Church, in order 
to give it meaning and importance. Abraham was a 
child of God and a member of his family fourteenlyears 
before he was circumcised. With him God entered 
into solemn covenant relations, and because he had en- 
tered into such relations with him and had admitted him 
to formal communion with himself, he required that he 
should be circumcised, as a sign and seal of covenant 
engagements and church relations. Abraham being in 
covenant, or in the Church, which is the same thing, 
was entitled to circumcision. Circumcision, then, was 
based on membership, and not membership on circum- 
cision, and cannot be regarded, strictly speaking, in the 
light of an initiatory ordinance. It is spoken of as a 
token of the covenant, and not as a means by which a 
person was introduced into covenant relations. Under 
the Old Testament dispensation, circumcision was rath- 



8 



er the formal acknowledgment, or declaration, of mem- 
bership ; but not the means of bringing persons into 
the Church. Those who were in covenant were mem- 
bers before they were circumcised ; members even at 
their birth, by virtue of the stipulations of the covenant, 
and circumcision may be considered that act by which 
they were formally recognized, as persons included in 
the covenant, and to whom rightfully belonged all the 
olessings comprehended in it. 

From what has just been said, it appears that profess- 
ed believers and their offspring were included in the 
covenant and Church of God; that they were all mem- 
bers of the Church by virtue of covenant stipulations, 
and lhat they received circumcision, not so much as an 
initiatory rite, a rite by which they became members 
of the Church, but rather as a solemn token or declara- 
tion of membership which already existed. And this 
view of the subject is greatly strengthened by another 
consideration, which is to be found in the fact, that 
God commanded "the uncircumcised man-child to be 
cut off from his people, because he had broken his cov- 
enant" Gen. 17, 14. The excommunication spoken 
of in this passage, had reference, doubtless, to such as 
might grow up without circumcision ; and who, on at- 
taining to years of understanding, refused or neglected 
to receive the ordinance. If, on reaching mature years, 
they remained uncircumcised, they were to be cut ofT 
from God's people, and excluded from the enjoyment of 
all the blessings of the covenant. They were to be 
considered as having broken the covenant, and despising 
the appointment of God. The punishment inflicted 
upon such, was exclusion from the Church, and from all 
right to covenant benefits and blessings. But how could 
they be thus excluded, if they were not in the Church ? 
The very fact, that such are said to have broken the 
covenant and were to be excommunicated on that ac- 
count, shows that they must have been in covenant with 
God, without circumcision. Such was the case. They 
were born in covenant, and belonged to God's visible 
Church, but inasmuch as they failed to comply with the 
ordinance of circumcision, after they grew up to years 
of understanding, they were to be cut of? from the 
Church, and excluded from all participation in the bles- 



9 



sings comprehended in these words, "I will be a God 
unto thee, and to thy seed after thee." 

We are now prepared to inquire, how is it, in this 
regard, under the New Testament economy? Has the 
covenant, or the token of the covenant, or both, under- 
gone any change 'I Do professedly believing parents and 
their offspring sustain the same relations to the New Tes- 
tament Church, that Abraham and seed sustained to the 
Church under the old dispensation 1 To this we answer, 
that "when Christ appeared on the earth, the Old dis- 
pensation, having fulfilled its grand design, was set aside 
to give place to the New one; the Church now assumed 
a different aspect ; its external ordinances, ceremonies, 
sacrifices, and so forth, which referred to, and prefigur- 
ed Christ, especially in his mediatorial charactei, were 
necessaiily abolished, because they all centered, and 
received their accomplishment in him. Circumcision, 
one of the ordinances of the old economy, shared the 
same fate ; it was abolished to make room for Christian 
Baptism, an institution better adapted to the simplicity, 
increased light, and more easy yoke of the New Testa- 
ment dispensation. The Abrahamic Covenant however, 
was not and could not be abrogated, because that was 
designed to be an "everlasting covenant" embracing 
"Abraham and his seed in all generations." While the 
covenant, therefore, by which the Church of God was 
organized, continued the same, the sign and seal of that 
covenant was altered ; circumcision was repealed and 
baptism instituted." Once the token, sign, manifesta- 
tion of membership, was circumcision ; now, Christian 
baptism. But ihe covenant itself, existing through all 
time, is of course the same under both dispensations, 
"ordered in all things and sure." And as all circum- 
cised persons and their offspring, were embraced in the 
covenant and Church of God, under the Old dispensation, 
and as the covenant itself continues without any change, 
addition or substraction, it being proclaimed by God 
himself to be an "everlasting covenant," it is easy to 
see who constitute the Church under the New Testa- 
ment enonomy — Christian parents and their offspring. 
As children under the Old dispensation were memhers 
of God's Church by virtue of their birth from professed- 
ly believing parents, and the solemn stipulations of the 
covenant, as well as by virtue of the death of Him who 



10 



appeared in* due time as the sum and substance of all 
the Jewish types and shadows, so are children under the 
New dispensation members of God's Church, in view 
of the same solemn and important considerations. They 
are in the visible Church in virtue of the stipulations of 
the Abrahamic covenant, as well as in virtue of their 
birth from Christian parents and the atonement of Jesus 
Christ. 

Our own excellent Heidelberg Catechism declares, 
that children should be baptized, on the ground that 
they, as well as the adult, are included in the covenant 
and Church of God, and because redemption from sin 
by the blood of Christ, and the Hoiy Ghost, the author 
of faith, is promised to them, no less than to the adult. 
It will be perceived that the Catechism bases the right 
of infants to baptism on membership, and regards mem- 
bership as existing by virtue of the Abrahamic covenant. 

We have just at hand a very able article on this 
branch of our subject, from the pen of one of the most 
gifted divines of the German Reformed Church in this 
country, a brief extract from which we beg leave to in- 
troduce in this pl^ce. 

"It is a common sentiment," says the writer, £ 'that the 
baptism of children makes them members of the Church, 
but this is an error, their baptism does not make them 
members, it only recognizes their right of membership 
already existing ; their membership is not founded upon 
their baptism, but their baptism upon their membership ; 
and whether that seal of the covenant be applied to 
them or not, they are (in case of believing parents) not 
without, but within the pale of the Church. Is any one 
disposed to object, "how can children be members^of the 
Church without their own consent ?" I reply, that with 
equal propriety it might be asked, how can they be 
made members of the civil state, or created rational be- 
ings, without their consent. It is their birth right, their 
privilege, and none the less such because it is a common 
one or greatly perverted." 

Such, then, are the grounds upon which are based the 
rights and privileges of Christianfparents and their off- 
spring, to membership in the Church of God. The 
ground taken is broad ground, but it is believed to be the 
true and Scriptural one. According to the view here 
taken of church membership, all children born of Chris- 



11 



tian parents, whether baptized or unbaptized, are in the 
visible Church; but then it must be observed that the 
membership is not as full and complete in the case of 
unbaptized, as baptized persons. The latter, too, have 
rights and privileges in the Church, which the former 
have not. Whilst ail are in the Church, by virtue of 
the stipulations of the covenant, yet only those who 
have received baptism as a token and seal of the cove- 
nant, have Scriptural claims to covenant promises and 
blessings. Being in the Church gives a person a right 
to baptism ; but it does not, of itself, entitle any one to 
the blessings of the covenant. To be entitled to these, 
it is not only necessary as it would seem, to be in the 
visible Church; but also to have the sign and seal of 
membership upon us. 

The situation of unbaptized persons in the Church, 
may be compared to that of a man who has been elected 
to fill some civil office, but who has never been properly 
qualified for it, by passing through what might be called 
the ceremony of office. He is a citizen of the State, a 
member of the civil compact, and duly elected by the 
people to fill an office of trust in the state — but still, he 
cannot take the chair of office, and exercise the rights, 
enjoy the privileges, and perform the duties of the of- 
fice, until the ceremany of initation, or installation, 
is performed. Just so it is with children born of Chris- 
tian parents. They are in the Church, elected by God 
himself to membership in the Church ; but yet, they 
have no valid right to enjoy the privileges and blessings 
of members, until they have received Christian baptism, 
as a sign and seal of their membership, and of their right 
and privilege to enjoy all the blessings which the great 
Head of the Church has purchased for, and promised to, 
his people, under the new and better dispensation. 

Let it not be said, then, that in our view of Church- 
membership, Christian baptism is undervalued. We 
think it is the only view that gives baptism its proper 
place, as an ordinance of vast meaning and importance 
in the Church of God. According to this view, children 
and adults may be in the visible Church, and yet not 
entitled to its privileges and blessings. To have a Bible 
right to enjoy the benefits of the covenant, they should 
receive baptism as a token and seal of such right, and 
thus be formally recognized as members of God's Church, 



12 



entitled to the exercise and enjoyment of all its blessed 
privileges. Who does not see, in this view of the sub- 
ject, that our unbaptized as well as baptized membership, 
could be admonished in the most solemn and earnest 
manner in reference to their spiritual and eternal inter- 
ests. Motives of the most powerful character might be 
addressed to them, with a view of inducing them to re- 
pent of sin, confess Christ, and receive Christian baptism 
as a sign and seal of Church relations, and covenant 
blessings. 

It is not intended here to raise the question, whether, 
in order to salvation, it is indispensably necessary to be 
in the visible Church, and to receive the ordinance of 
baptism. All that we now have to say, is, that it is 
highly important to salvation to be in the outward 
Church of Jesus Christ. 

We have already clearly intimated, if not fully stated, 
that there are rich covenant blessings secured to all 
those households who are within the pale of the visible 
Church— that membership, or rather the recognition of 
membership, gives a person the right and privilege to 
enjoy all the ordinances and blessings of the Church 
and the whole of that salvation which has been pur- 
chased for the Church by her glorious Head* To the 
enjoyment of New Testament blessings, all baptized 
persons have an indisputable Gospel right, and they 
have such right in view of covenant relations and 
Christ's atonement. If others, those who are not with- 
in the pale of the visible Church, enjoy the benefits of 
the Church and the blessings of salvation, all that we 
have to say is, that it is not the ordinary way in which 
men are brought into their possession. A man may be 
enlightened, converted, and saved, doubtless, without 
being in the visible Church ; or, if in the Church, with- 
out the formal recognition of membership. It does not 
certainly appear that the penitent thief 'was saved through 
the visible Church ; but his case, and all such cases 
must be regarded as altogether unusual and extraordina- 
ry. God has established a Church in the world, and 
it would be safe to say, we think, that his usual, and 
indeed almost only mode of saving men, is not only 
through^ but in his visible Church. And here permit 
us to affirm, lest it might be thought we make too much 
account of the Church, and too little of Christ, that no 



13 



one is saved but by, through, and in Christ Jesus, 
whilst many will be lost, doubtless, who are simply with- 
in the pale of the outward Church. What we wish to 
say is, that the usual, ordinary way of saving men is 
through and in the Church, not wishing at all to inti- 
mate, that it is utterly impossible, under any circum- 
stances, to get to Christ and be saved, except it be 
through the visible Church. If any of the heathen are 
saved, it is through Christ, and not the outward Church. 
They are saved, if saved at all, by virtue of Christ's 
atonement, like their little children, and like all little 
children who die-before they are old enough to know 
good from evil. But we must repeat, that the ordinary 
way of saving men is through and in the visible Church, 
for it is there that those means and influences are enjoy- 
ed, which are highly important, if not absolutely neces- 
sary to salvation. This is the divinely appointed way, 
and if there is any deviation from it, on the part of God 
and in some cases there undoubtedly is, such deviation 
must be referred to the sovereignty of God, whose good 
pleasure it may be, under certain circumstances, and 
for the accomplishment of high and benevolent purposes, 
to show mercy and extend salvation to some who are 
not within the pale of the Church militant. God governs 
the universe by established laws, and yet it has been 
his good pleasure, at times, to deviate from those laws, 
and carry on his work in some miraculous way. If he 
does this in the kingdom of nature, why may he not 
do similar things in the kingdom of grace? Why may 
he not, in his own sovereign pleasure, occasionally save 
some, as he did the penitent malefactor, who have no 
formal connection with the outward Church ? That 
some such are saved, is beyond a doubt. But this, as 
has been already observed, is not the ordinary way of 
saving men from sin, and preparing them for heaven. 
The usual, regular way, so to speak, is not only through 
but in the visible Church. And indeed, it must he con- 
fessed, that it is not easy to see how men, who enjoy 
Gospel light and privileges, can be considered hopeful 
candidates for heaven, no matter how moral and reli- 
gious they may seem to be, if they wilfully neglect the 
positive institutions of Christianity, refuse to openly 
profess Christ, and unite themselves, formerly, with his 
Church and people. God has not only given us his 



14 



Son to be our light and our salvation, but he has estab- 
lished his Church in the wotld, for the attainment of 
high and glorious ends. It is through the Church that 
the Gospel is preached, and it is in the Church thai those 
means and influences are enjoyed which are so necessa- 
ry for the illumination, conversion, sanctification, and 
salvation of men. 

The visible Church of Christ, the great organized 
family of professed believers and their offspring, means 
something — much more than some men think it does. 
As God has established his Church among men, and 
has enjoined it upon those to whom the Gospel becomes 
known, to confess Christ and unite themselves with his 
Church and people, it is not a matter of little moment 
whether we belong to it or not. Whilst we would hold 
up Christ, and whilst we delight and glory in holding 
him up, as the way, the truth and the life, — as the Sa- 
vior, and as the only Savior of men— as ihat blessed 
One in whom all our hopes of heaven centre, we would 
at the same time, attach very great importance to his 
Church, which he has established in the world, for 
the purpose of enlightening, converting, comforting and 
saving men, and for the brightest and most glorious 
displays of Jehovah's character and mind. The Church, 
with all its ordinances, sacraments, means of grace, and 
so forth, is of vast account in the matter of our salva- 
tion. It is not only a high and blessed privilege to be 
in the visible Church, but highly important, to say the 
least, to a saving interest in Christ, and a Bible title to 
glory. Those who are in the Church, stand within the 
pale of covenant engagements and relations, and are 
therefore proper subjects, so to speak, for the enjoy- 
ment of covenant privileges and blessings. To such 
the word and sacraments may and do prove a rich 
blessing, when rightly used, fitting them for communion 
with God in this world, and preparing them for his ever- 
lasting enjoyment in the next. That there is a differ- 
ence, and a very great difference too, in the condition of 
those who are within, and those who are without the 
pale of the Church militant, there can, be no reasonable 
doubt. Those who are within the pale of the visible 
Church, and who have had their membership properly 
recognized, have advantages and blessings of the high- 
est importance and deepest interest promised and secu- 



15 



red to them ; whilst those who are without, enjoy no 
auch promises and security. The former enjoy grace and 
opportunities, which, if rightly improved, will secure to 
them the blessings of conversion, sanctification and 
complete redemption ; whilst the latter, the unbaptized, 
seem to be almost wholly destitute of these grounds of 
hope. They are not recognizedly in covenant, and 
therefore not in a condition, as it would seem, to enjoy 
covenant blessings. 

In all this it is not intended to intimate, much less to 
teach, that persons are born again by water baptism. 
We hold that not the least change takes place in the 
spiritual being of the person baptized. Baptism is not 
even the spiritual conception of a new creation, much 
less is it the new creation itself. Baptism is not cover- 
sion, or the new birth ; it is not even regeneration, if by 
that term we are to understand the beginning, simply, 
ofthe great change and not the great change itself. By 
nature, men are dead in trespasses and in sins, and to 
awake them from their sleep of death, and to breathe into 
them spiritual life, so that they may arise and live, is the 
work, the great, the mighty, the wondrous work of the 
Holy Spirit, by means of the word and truth of God. 
But still, baptism does something, it does much, for us. 
Whilst it does not change our being, it alters our condi- 
tion, most materially, by placing us in circumstances 
highly favorable, if not really necessary to salva- 
tion. So that to be in the visible Church, acknowl- 
edge^ so, is an unspeakable blessing, a blessing which 
all, in Gospel lands, may, if they will, enjoy. 

Having said thus much on the nature and impor- 
tance of church relations, and of the sacraments of 
God's house, especially Christian baptism, we will pro- 
ceed to notice some other items' in the proceed ings now 
under consideration. 

In the minute of Synod, already referred to, and now- 
being considered, it is said, that "many of our baptized 
adults have not correct views of the relations they sus- 
tain to the Church, and that it is of vast importance to 
them personally, and to the well being of the Church 
generally, that they should have correct, scriptural 
views of these relations, and of the duties which neces- 
sarily grow out of them." 



16 



It is believed that no one will feel disposed to call in 
question the truth of these statements. It cannot be 
doubted, we think, that this great subject of Church 
relations, in all its vast and important bearings, is but 
very imperfectly understood by our baptized member- 
ship in general. Who does not know that vague and 
incorrect ideas prevail in regard to it, amongst children, 
parents, heads of families, and even ministers of the 
Gospel ? Look abroad in the Church, and you will find, 
as the Synod asserts, that in many instances, our bap- 
tized membership grow up without proper religious in- 
struction ; without understanding the important and 
deeply interesting relations they sustain to the Church ; 
without confirmation, and without an open, public pro- 
fession of their faith in Christ. It is an undeniable fact 
that Bible and Catechetical instruction has almost been 
wholly neglected in some parts of the Church, and in 
others, regarded as of little or no account. In some sec- 
tions of the Church, too, it is almost impossible to pre- 
vail upon the baptized youth of the Church to attend a ' 
course of Catechetical instruction, by which their minds 
might be properly impressed and renewed, and they 
themselves fitted for confirmation and the holy commu- 
nion. There are thousands of baptized persons in our 
connexion who are living without the benefit of Christian 
instruction and confirmation. Among this class of per- 
sons you may find some, and perhaps many, who do 
not regard themselves as belonging to the Church in 
any sense, and who seem to take pleasure in denying 
that they are members, and even glory at times in such 
denial. They are under the erroneous impression that 
they are not in the Church, and that they can, therefore, 
live as they please. Others, those who are in the 
Church, are bound to live a Christian life ; but they, 
being out of the Church, are at liberty to live as they 
list. What a delusion ! And how serious and awful the 
consequences ! 

If those who are in covenant with God, had correct, 
scriptural views of this great subject, we should not see 
so many of them living without the sign and seal of the 
covenant. We would see the unbapUzed portion ot 
those in covenant, coming forward to receive at the 
hands of the ministry, the manifestation and recognition 
of membership in God's Church, by being made the 



17 



subjects of Christian baptism, and thus more fully and 
certainly brought into the enjoyment of the means of 
salvation. We would see our baptized membership, 
eagerly embracing every fitting opportunity to be reli- 
giously instructed, and to be prepared for confirmation 
and a public profession of their faith in Christ. If right 
views prevailed among such, they would doubtless 
gladly come forward, and claim and enjoy their high, 
blood bought privileges in the Church. They would 
then as soon think of denying their citizenship in the 
State, and of refusing to enjoy the blessings which are 
promised and secured to them under the Constitution of 
the State, as think of denying their membership in 
God's Church, and refusing to enjoy the privileges and 
benefits to which they have, by solemn covenant, an 
unquestionable Gospel right. Our children have birth 
right privileges in the visible Church, by virture of 
covenant engagements and relations, and it is to be most 
deeply regretted that, they do not understand them better, 
and appreciate them more. They understand, some- 
what the relations they sustsin to the State but not to 
the Church, Who among them would think of deny- 
ing their citizenship, and of excluding themselves from 1 
the enjoyment of those privileges and blessings which 
are secured to them by the glorious constitution un- 
der which they live? They know that inconsequence 
of citizenship, they have precious rights secured to them, 
and which they can at any time, and at all times, claim 
and enjoy. How very jealous they are of those rights ■ 
With what cheerful spirit and manly pride do they exer- 
cise those rights ! What pleasure it affords them to 
speak of them, and how much they glory in them, and 
in ojl the civil privileges which they enjoy, and enjoy 
because they are members of the national compact ! 
And oiAght not our children rejoice and be thankful, 
because they have rights and privileges in the Church, 
as well as the State? Nay more, ought they not to rejoice 
greatly and continually, because they are in the Church, 
and being in the Church, in the enjoyment of the dearest 
rights and most precious privileges ? Rather than be 
sorry or deny, that they belong to the Church, they 
ought to biess God, and rejoice evermore. They have 
cause, too, to thank their parents a thousand times for 
what they have done for them, and if they are clead 3 

2 



18 



they should gratefully cherish their memory throughout 
all time. Sooner let them be ashamed of, or disown 
and renounce their connection with the State, than with 
the Church. But as they cannot well do this in the 
one case, so neither can they in the other. In neither 
case can they easily destroy their rights, though they 
may refuse to exercise them. 

The state of things in the Church, that we have just 
contemplated, is very sad indeed. Who amongst us 
does not know, who does not feel, that it is such. Where 
is the minister, where the layman, who does not from his 
inmost soul desire the removal of the causes which have 
led to this sad state of things, and io witness another and 
a better '! 

But what are some of the causes which are supposed 
to have produced the evils here complained of? Let 
Synod herself furnish the answer. It is found in the 
first resolution of the minute that she adopted, and is as 
follows : 

''Resolved, That we deeply deplore this state of 
things, (the state of things to which we have just 
adverted, and which is noticed in the preamble to this 
and the other resolutions,) and earnestly desire a speedy 
removal of the causes which have led to its existence, 
and which are chiefly to be found, doubtless, in the too 
common neglect of family religion, and in a want of 
proper parental instruction and influence, as well as in a 
w&ni, in many instances, of ministerial attention and 
faithfulness. 

The first cause here assigned for the existence of the 
stale of things to which we have just called attention, is, 
the too common neglect of family religion, and, the 
absence of proper parental instruction and influence. 
That family religion is at low ebb amongst us, there can 
scarcely be a doubt. It is pleasing to know, indeed, 
ihat some suitable attention has all along been given to 
this great subject by some families, and that in many 
others a becoming interest is being excited ; but still, a 
vast number of our families seem to be strangers to those 
holy and blessed influences which are always found to 
rest upon decidedly Christian households. In how many 
families in our communion, as well as in others, is the 
song of praise never sung ; the voice of prayer never 
heard ; and the reading and explanation ol* the .Scrip- 



• 19 

tures never attended to ? There are no family altars 
established, around which old and young, parents and 
children, masters and servants may gather, to offer up 
to God the morning and evening sacrifice of prayer and 
praise. No priest, no priestess can be found to conduct 
the important exercises of family worship, and to sui- 
tably impress the younger membership of the family 
and of the Church, with the great concerns of the soul 
and of the eternal world. The Bible is seldom read, 
perhaps never made the subject of pointed and practical 
remark to the children and youth. Catechetical instruc- 
tion is neglected. Household relations and responsibil- 
ities to the Church are neither understood nor cared for. 
Parents and heads of families manifest no becoming inter- 
est in regard to these highly important and deeply inter- 
esting subjects, and the consequence is, that most of the 
children and youth grow up without religious knowledge ; 
without a proper understanding of Church relations and 
responsibilities ; without the benefit of prayerful and 
pious example ; without being brought to a proper knowl- 
edge of the Gospel, and to make an open profession of 
their faith in Christ, and without that reverence for and 
delight in, sacred things in general, which are so necessa- 
ry to their peace here, and happiness hereafter, , In the 
families of such, too, it often happens that there is no 
proper government. Parental authority and rule have 
departed ; perhaps never existed. Children govern 
parents, instead of parents children. This was not the 
case so much in former days. Once parents ruled their 
children, but now children rule their parents. Who 
does not see and deplore the consequences ? If children 
will read the Bible, go to Church, learn the Catechism, 
repent of sin, receive confirmation, and lead a prayerful 
and pious life, well ; if not, it is well again. There is 
no proper instruction given ; no suitable authority exer- 
cised ; and no scriptural example set by the heads of 
households, and it is not therefore to be wondered at, 
that confusion, disorder, a-nd irreligion have often uni- 
versal sway. Hundreds of parents and heads of families 
manifest an indifference here, yea gross neglect, that is, 
not only highly culpable, but a great sin ; and how will 
they be able to answer for it to God, to their children, to 
the Church, to their own consciences ? In view of the 
retributions of eternity , they should fear and tremble. 



20 



It would be well if such would now remember at least 
one solemn declaration of the word of God, "I will pour 
out my fury upon the nations that know me not, and the 
families that call not upon my name." Before long 
they shall meet their children, whose interests they have 
so much neglected, at the bar of God. Oh, how shall 
they be able to stand in the judgment of the great day, 
if they have neglected the souls of their children, and 
find that their garments are stained with their blood I 
What a scene will there be witnessed, when parents shall 
see, that through their neglect, in part at least, their 
children are unprepared to enter into the Church trium- 
phant, and must be forever excluded from the heavenly 
mansions ! May God in his mercy, speedily arouse 
such from their slumbers, lest they and their children 
perish forever ! 

The state of things in the Church which the Synod 
deplores and over which they mourn, is attributable, they 
say, not only to the too common neglect of family religion, 
and a want of proper parental instruction and authority, 
but also to a "want, in many instances , of ministerial 
attention and faithfulness 

It is surely a matter of some deep concern that the 
ministry should be blamed, and found wanting, in regard 
to this subject. Surely they ought to be attentive to the 
youthful membership of the Church, and faithful to their 
spiritual and eternal interests. This they promised to be 
at their Ordmation, when they were solemnly set apart 
to the work of the ministry, and also when they were 
instajied as pastors or bishops over God's heritage. Our 
ordination and installation services, as found in the Litur- 
gy of the Church, as well as the Constitution of the 
Church, make it obligatory upon the ministry to give 
special attention to the young. But the Synod say, and 
no doubt truly say, that this great subject is neglected by 
the ministry, at least in many instances. It is certain, 
that our baptized, to say nothing about our unbaptized 
youth, do not receive that attention at our hands which 
they ought to receive. They are in the Church, mem- 
bers of the Church, and subject, as the Synod say, to the 
teachings, admonitions, and care of the Church. Is it 
not the solemn duty of the ministry to look after the 
lambs of Christ's flock, and to make a faithful and pro- 
per use of all the means which God has appointed, for 



21 



their religious education, for the renewing and conversion 
of their souls, and for their final and eternal salvation in 
heaven ? No other than an affirmative answer can be 
given to this question. But look abroad in the Church, 
and see how very imperfecily, in many instances, this 
great duty is discharged. The truth is, many of our 
ministers do not seem to fully understand the impor- 
tant and deeply interesting subject of household con- 
nections with God's Church. Baptized children even are 
regarded by many as out of the Church, until they have 
been confirmed, and have partaken of the Lord's Sup- 
per. Such are spoken of as candidates for Church 
membership, as persons who are expected to join the 
Church, and unite themselves with God's people. Now 
those who thus speak do not seem to understand, at least 
they do not remember, that all baptized youth are already 
in the Church, and that they should be recognized and 
treated as its members, subject to its order and entitled 
to its covenant blessings. It is certain that our youth- 
ful members are not looked after and cared for as they 
should be. Their best interests require the faithful and 
persevering attentions of the pastors of the Church. They 
should be visited under the parental roof, im the work- 
shop, in the c©unting room, in the fields, the lanes, the 
hedges, the high ways, and in any place and ail places 
where they be found. Some of our baptized member- 
ship are poor orphans, bound out to service, treated bad- 
ly in some instances, and enjoy few or no earthly com- 
forts. Their lot is indeed a hard one. They need, 
greatly need our sympathies our counsels, our prayers, 
our constant and faithful attentions. Their parents be- 
fore they bid them adieu in their last hours, recommen- 
ded them, perhaps, to our friendly notice, and committed 
their spiritual interests to our hands, looking to God in 
fervent prayer for his blessing to rest upon our efforts 
to save their souls. And it may be that they could not 
close their eyes in death, until they had entrusted their 
beloved children to our watchful and pious care. Abroad 
in the wide world our baptized membership are scattered 
and it is a most sacred duty of the ministry to give them 
special attention. Our vows are upon us, as ministers 
and pastors in the Church, and we must perform them 
to Him in whose presence they were solemnly made. 
These lambs of the Redeemer's flock, scattered and faint, 



22 



poor and needy, must receive our special attention. We 
must go out after them, and rest not until we have found 
them, and introduced them once more to the Church and 
family of our blessed Lord. We must direct their minds 
to the things' that relate to their peace, and endeavor to 
suitably impress them with the concerns of the eternal 
world. 1 We must seek to interest them in the subject of 
the Church and of religion, and try to make it clear to 
them that they belong to the covenant and Church of 
God, — that it is their duty to attend, if they possibly can, 
all the Bible and Catechetical instructions of the Church ; 
to repent of their sins and forsake their evil ways ; to 
believe in and love the Savior ; to receive confirmation ; 
to partake of the Holy Supper; to lead a prayerful and 
a Christian life — in a word, we must exercise a proper 
pastoral care over them, and watch for their souls as 
those who must give account. Let those of us who are 
ministers fear, lest through indifference, or neglect, we 
fail to perform our solemn duties to the baptized children 
and youth of our charges, and God enters into fearful 
controversy with us. At the last day it may be said, by 
the Master himself, to some ministers of the gospel, and 
perhaps to some of us, who may prove unfaithful to the 
youthful membership of the Church, especially to such 
as were poor orphans, cast upon the cold charity of 
the world at their parents' death — -"Inasmuch as ye have 
not done it unto owe of the least of these my brethren, 
ye have not done it unto me. Depart from me, I know 
you not." Oh, it will he a solemn thing for us, as min- 
isters, to meet these lambs of Christ's flock at the judg- 
ment of the great day. In view, then, of all these im- 
portant and deeply interesting considerations, let us as 
God's Ambassadors, and as pastors in Christ's Church, 
give immediate and faithful attention to this great subject, 
and leave no suitable means unemployed to save those 
to whom we preach, and those among whom we labor. 
This is what Synod recommends and enjoins in several 
of the resolutions which they adopted. 

Resolved, 3rd. That it be earnestly recommended to 
all our ministers to give immediate attention to this sub- 
ject, to bring it before our people from the pulpit, and to 
discuss, explain, and enforce it, in such a manner, and 
to such an extent, as may deem best calculated to ac- 
complish the object in view. 



23 



4th. That in the discharge of the duty of family visi- 
tation, it be particularly enjoined upon all the ministers 
of the Synod, to bring this subject to the notice of parents 
and children, and endeavor to suitably impress their 
minds with its interest and importance. 

5th. That, it he made the duty, in an especial man- 
ner, of all our ministers, to look after f hat portion of the 
youthful membership of our Church, who in the Provi- 
dence of God are deprived of parental care, and have 
no one to sympathize with them in their state of spirit- 
ual destitution, and to comfort them in their many dis- 
tresses. 

Let us consider it our duty, forthwith to ascertain the 
names of ail baptized, yet unconfirmed persons in our 
communion, or under our supervision, and in all our inter- 
course with them, to treat them as members of the visible 
Church, subject to its teachings, admonitions, and pas- 
toral care. If the great importance of Bible and Cate- 
chetical instruction, of covenant and church relations, of 
family religion, of confirmation, of the sacraments, and of 
all these means of grace and helps to salvation which 
are enjoyed in the visible Church, has been too much 
overlooked of late years, let it be so no longer. In view 
of our well being as a Church, and of the interests of re- 
igiOfii in general let us return at once, in these regards, to 
the oid landmarks which our fathers have set, and wake 
up to renewed and vigorous efforts in the glorious cause 
of Christ and his Church. 

We should ail constantly seek and pray to understand, 
better than we do, the deeply interesting relations our 
families sustain to the Church of Jesus Christ, and the 
duties which grow out of those relations. We should 
talk and preach more on these subjects, and not cease 
our efforts until our universal membership come to a 
proper knowledge of the things that make for their peace 
in this world, and for their happiness in the next. And 
it is gratifying to know, that the attention of the ministry 
and 'Church is being more and more directed, of late, to 
all these great and important matters — matters which 
most deeply concern us as a Church, as congregations, 
as families, and as individuals; and it is to be hoped that 
the discussion and action of Synod, will have a tendency 
to properly arouse the attention of the whole Church to 
these great and weighty subjects, and secure in the end 





24 



the full accomplishment of those high and blessed objects, 
which were aimed at by Synod when they adopted the min- 
ute to which your attention has been called in this address. 

And now, dearly beloved brethren in the Lord, allow 
us to remind you, in conclusion, that we may expect a 
blessed revival of God's work in our midst if a becom- 
ing activity prevails amongst us, in regard to a proper, 
scriptural trainingof the baptized children of our Church. 
"Train up a child in the way he should go,' 3 and the 
promise is, "when he is old he will not depart from it." 
"If ye seek me early, ye shall find me." It is in youth, 
the spring time of life, that the heart is soft, the conscience 
tender, the affections warm, and that God can be easily 
sought and found. Youth is the season in which to sow 
the good seed of the kingdom, if we would reap a rich 
and glorious harvest for the Church, the Lamb's Bride. 
Let us all be deeply sensible of our great need of another 
baptism of the Holy Ghost, and let us daily look to God, 
with strong faith and fervent prayer, for his blessing 
upon our efforts, to train up our children and youth in 
the way of life. If we are importunate in prayer, strong 
in faith, judicious in efforts, and abundant in labors, we 
may confidently expect a season of constant and most 
blessed revival. There is every reason to believe thnt 
if the Church be truly faithful to her youthful member- 
ship, she shall have the pleasure of witnessing pure, and 
substantial, and constant revivals of religion, and of 
seeing the work of the Lord continually prospering in 
her hands. But in order to enjoy such revivals, it is 
necessary that there should be much suitable instruction 
imparted to our children and youth ; that there should be 
much fervent and importunate prayer offered up, and re- 
newed and vigorous efforts made to build up Zion, and 
enlarge the place of her habitation. O Lord, revive us, . 
and our help shall come from Thee. To Thee, Oh 
God, the holy, the mighty One, we look for the gracious 
outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Grant us the desire of our 
hearts, and our souls will bless thee, yea we will magni- 
fy thy name forever and ever. 

Yours, dear brethren, most truly and sincerely in the 
bonds of Christian love. 

ELTAS HE1NER, 1 J. S. KESSLER, 

SAMUEL GUTELIUS, P. REIGART, 

BERNARD C. WOLFF, CHRISTIAN STEINER, 

Baltimore, Nov. 20th, 1840. 
I 



